Moniepoint CEO Tosin Eniolorunda has been named to the 2026 TIME100 Next list, becoming the only African honouree in the business, technology, and artificial intelligence categories. The recognition highlights his role in expanding financial access in Nigeria, where Moniepoint powers about eight in ten in-person digital payment transactions.
Recognition and Impact on Nigerian Fintech
Eniolorunda, co-founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Moniepoint Inc., joins a list of 100 rising figures across leadership, business, technology, politics, science, sport, and culture. TIME launched TIME100 Next in 2019 to spotlight influential individuals emerging beyond traditional centres of power.
Founded in 2015, Moniepoint achieved unicorn status in 2024 and now serves more than 20 million businesses and individuals. Its agency banking network covers all 774 local government areas in Nigeria, and its blue point-of-sale terminals are widely used by traders and businesses for everyday payments and financial services access.
Tony Elumelu Celebrates Eniolorunda's Journey
Tony Elumelu, chairman of Heirs Holdings and founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, wrote the tribute for Eniolorunda in TIME. Elumelu, himself a 2020 TIME100 honouree, described the entrepreneur as someone who "grew up without a silver spoon but still had the audacity to dream." He said Eniolorunda's success would show other young Africans that they too could succeed, praising his vision, enterprise, and disciplined focus.
Elumelu's tribute underscores the significance of Eniolorunda's achievement, placing him among emerging global figures whose work influences industries and communities.
Eniolorunda Credits Team and Customers
Responding to the honour, Eniolorunda credited Moniepoint's employees and the millions of businesses and individuals who trust the company with their livelihoods. He said the recognition renewed its commitment to delivering financial happiness and building services with greater rigour and care.
He also thanked Elumelu for championing African enterprise, expressing confidence that Africans could transform the continent with the right tools and opportunities.
The honour follows co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Felix Ike's inclusion in TIME's inaugural Executives of the Year list for Tech and Data. Moniepoint was also featured among TIME's 100 Most Influential Companies last year. TIME will celebrate the honourees in New York on October 29.
